POPSUGAR Celebrity

15 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes Sure to Impress

Nov 19 2014 - 1:00pm

For many, Thanksgiving [1] is a monthlong production that involves plenty of planning ahead when it comes to oven space, refrigerator space, and day-of preparation. But even if you're not much of a planner — or you've suddenly been put on the spot to pull off a Turkey Day feast! — I promise that you can still host a meal worth boasting about afterward. The key to a successful last-minute feast is to choose snappy dishes with only a few ingredients, many of which you'll already have on hand. Rest assured, however, that the menu will be anything but mundane.

— Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts

Photos: Susannah Chen, Nicole Perry, and Anna Monette Roberts

Bourbon Old Fashioned

A bourbon old fashioned [2] is classic and as good as it gets.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Classic Mimosas

In addition, offer mimosas [3] to those who prefer something lighter earlier in the day.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey

Wild Rice Stuffing

Wild rice stuffing [12] — tossed with mushrooms and parsley — goes with just about everything.

Photo: Nicole Perry

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If shredding a salad seems too complicated, no one can deny the simple pleasure of roasted brussels sprouts [13].

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Mashed Potatoes

If oven space is an issue, turn to mashed potatoes [14], an easy Thanksgiving staple that you can make on the stove top.

Photo: Nicole Perry

Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

If you can score a can of pumpkin puree and a premade graham cracker crust, then you're almost a third of the way to baking up an easy seven-ingredient pumpkin pie [15].

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Pecan and Honey Whiskey Bundt Cake

You know what most grocery stores will be out of? Pumpkin puree. You know what they probably will have a surplus of? Pecans, whiskey, yellow cake, and pudding mix. Gather those ingredients, and then you can make this impressive whiskey bundt cake [16], which bakes in under an hour.